Knock-down shelving



April 30, 1957 A. w. STEPHENSON ETAL KNOCK-DOWN SHELVING INVENTORS J TE/WEAIJM/ 0 X/ fi/aIw/cz ATTO R N EY A .4/ bug e W 5%.,

Filed June 18, 1954 KNOCK-DOWN SHELVING Alpha W. Stephenson and Edward H. Dycewicz, Saginaw,

-Mi assignors to Saginaw Industries Company, Saginaw, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application June 18, 1954, Serial No. 437,825

3 Claims. (Cl. 211-136) The present invention relates to knock-down shelving and more particularly to a structure adapted to retail store shelving fixtures which may be easily assembled and taken apart yet which provides, by reason of its unique structure, excellent shelf rigidity and support.

Rapid advances have been made in providing metal units for the construction of knock-down shelving and store fixtures. Numerous variations in approach have been taken to establish an appearance of permanency while allowing maximum flexibility of size, location, and holding capacity of various shelving units. Few variations achieve the rigidity of the present structure and none, insofar as is presently known, utilize a structure comparable to that' herein described to accomplish rigidity while allowing maximum adjustment features as to size, placement, and available unsupported span.

Where metal shelves are used considerable difliculty is encountered in achieving unsupported spans of open shelving over three feet in length unless heavy gauges of metal are used.

Accordingly it is one of the objects of this invention to teach a shelving structure which will achieve extraordinary spans of shelving while employing comparatively light gauge metal in such a manner as to stiffen the shelf and assist in the stabilizing of the entire structure.

A further object of this invention is to provide a knock-down shelving structure of extreme simplicity which can be cheaply fabricated, and easily assembled and adapted to a wide range of floor plan requirements.

Another object of this invention is to teach a structure which by reason of its construction can be rigidly held to close tolerances for package installations.

A further object of this invention is the simplification of means for connecting the shelf brace members to column structures wherein the necessity for bolts, rivets, clips, et cetera, is eliminated.

Other innovations and advantages in this structure will become increasingly apparent to those skilled in the art as the description proceeds.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a cutaway perspective view of an intermediate bracing member, an intermediate column and a shelf structure showing the coordination of units forming the shelving structure.

Figure 2 is a front elevation view partially cut away showing an end column, an intermediate column, an end bracing member, an intermediate bracing member, a full shelf member spanned between bracing members and a partial view of an adjacent shelf member illustrating the connection of the members.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a bracing member.

Figure 4 is a plan view of an intermediate bracin member.

Figure 5 is a plan view of an end bracing member.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the under side of a shelf illustrating the position of the rigidity increasing U-shaped pan.

Figure 7 is a partial cross section through the slots United States Patent 0 of one of the columns illustrating a detail of assembly in the attachment of brace member to column.

General description -In general, vertical support columns are provided which are in channel form. End columns are vertically positioned single channels-and thejntermediate columns are vertically positioned double channels fixed in back to back relationship. In relatively permanent installations the columns are cast in concrete or otherwise fastened to the floor. In portable installations the columns are supported by suitable pedestal bases not shown, but well known in the art. The columns are provided with vertical lug slots admitting of a wide adjustment of shelf height. In the end columns a single row of slots is provided. In the intermediate columns a double row of slots is provided.

Lug carrying brackets are insertable adjustably and lockably in association with the columns through the lug slots. The lugs are selectively positioned in the mating and locking slots of the column. Double lugged brackets are provided as intermediate brackets. Single lugged brackets are provided as end brackets in the usual left and right designation depending upon their orientation in the completed structure.

The bracket web comprises the extension base of the bracket. Lug plates are attached to the rear of the web so that the lugs extend outwardly and rearwardly from the back for engagement with the slots. Gapping plates flank the upper extended portion of the web and provide a flange carrying gap between the gapping plate and the web. The space or gap thus provided becomes a groove into which the flanges of a shelf member may be inserted. A portion of each gapping plate, proximate to the center of the length of bracket, is down-turned to form a horizontal pedestal extension beneath the upper level of the web. In the end brackets only one gapping plate is employed. In the intermediate brackets gapping plates are employed on either side of the web.

The shelf members are flanged at either end. Ihe flanges are insertable securely in the gaps between Web and gapping plate so as to span between the brackets. On the underside of the shelf a generally U-shaped stiffener with support tabs is longitudinally and centrally fixed. The stiffener rests firmly on the horizontal pedestal extension of the bracket thus giving an additional support to the shelf member over the support provided by the flanged shelf ends inserted in the gaps.

By reason of the symmetrical construction of the slotted vertical columns and-the clearance provided between the legs of the channels comprising the columns,

a duplicate construction may be repeated on the oppo-- site side of the columns so that an island type of shelving can be produced as desired serving customers from both sides.

Since the tolerances of the structure illustrated are based upon the centerline of the back-to-back channels, or intermediate columns, and are carried forward into the structure by the web of the bracket, and thence repeated at each intermediate column, the structure admits of extreme exactness hitherto unknown in knock-down type shelving. Complete standardization of parts is thus made possible with attendant economy in production and fabrication. The run-out of the tolerances occurs in the end sections and the shelves can therefore be produced to accurate. dimensional limits while providing a maximum amount of rigid open shelving.

Particular description comprising channel-shaped members 12 which are slotted 3 vertically at selected intervals through the leg portions thereof on both sides of the channel 12. The intermediate columns 12a comprise two of the channel shaped members 12 in back-to-back relationship so that the slots 13 constitute a double row running vertically the length of the column.

The intermediate column 12a comprises a welded combination of the two channels 12 to form an integral member. End columns 12b are provided consisting of only a single channel 12 with its single row of slots 13. Only one of the end columns is-illustrated in Fig. 2 and it will be understood that another column 12b is employed in opposite orientation at the other end of the structure.

The columns 12a.and 12b are firmly fastened to the floor as by implanting in cement or concrete, or, in portable units, pedestal feet are attached thereto in well known manner to form a pedestal mount. Since the present invention is not concerned with the specific mounting of the columns reference is only made herein to illustrate the structure 11 as being completely operative.

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 it will be understood that shelving may extend from either side of the columns 12a and 12b so that the shelving structure admits of mounting adjacent to a wall or in the well-known island style with shopping aisles on either side. 1

Two bracket forms A and B are provided, the one bracket B being an end bracket and the bracket A being an intermediate bracket. The end bracket A is provided in rights and lefts depending upon which end of the completed structure it is used upon and mounts only upon the end columns 12b. Fig. illustrates a plan view of the bracket B in the right hand orientation. The bracket B in association with the column 12b shown in Fig. 2 is of left hand orientation. The bracket A is provided for attachment to the intermediate columns 12a.

The brackets A and B consist of a web 17 being of metal sheet or plate material and being planally a right triangle in shape, forming a right angle at the upper rear and having a curvilinear hypotenuse. Lug plates 15 are welded or otherwise aflixed to the rear edge of the web 17 on both sides of the web 17 in the case of the intermediate bracket A, and on only one side in the case of end bracket B. The welded portion of the lug plates 15 are coplanar with the webs 17 but they are bent approximately forty-five degrees outward as at 16 and then reassume planal parallelity with the web 17 (Figs. 4 and 5), but offset therefrom sufiiciently to register with the slots 13 provided in the channels 12. A plurality of downturned L-shaped lugs 14 extend rearwardly from the lug plates 15 in such a manner as to be insertable in the slots 13. Upon complete insertion of the lugs 14 in the slots 13 the brackets A and B drop slightly locking themselves into the slots 13. and firmly fixing the brackets A and B to their respective columns. The mode of locking is best illustrated in the detail shown in Fig. 7.

On either side of the web 17 and running substantially the length of the bracket A gapping plates 18 are attached, preferably by welding. The gapping plates 18 are sheet metal strips having two planally parallel elongate portions 25 and 26 connected by an offset portion. The gapping plates 18 flank the outwardly extending portion of the web 17 thus forming a gap 18a between the web 17 and the plates 18. The purpose of the gaps 18a will become increasingly apparent as the description proceeds.

On end brackets B only a single gapping plate 18 is provided as shown in Fig. 5. All gapping plates 18 are identical in form but the intermediate brackets A are provided with gapping plates 18 on both sides as indicated in Fig. 4. Substantially midway of the length of the brackets A and B and integral with the gapping plates 18 a pedestal extension 19 is provided which is in efl'ect a tab portion of the gapping plate 18 turned down to stand outwardly from the vertically assembled plane of the brackets A and B at right angles. In the end brackets B only meet such pedestal extensions 19 is provided as m the case of the gapping strip 18. On the intermediate brackets A'the pedestal extensions 19 are provided on both sides of the web 17. The position of the pedestal 19 generally conforms to the depth of the gap 18a and the purpose of the pedestal 19 will become increasingly apparent as the description proceeds.

A uniquely constructed pan-like shelf member 20 is provided which is generally rectangular in upper surface form and which is provided with a rolled inclinedly downturned edge 21 and right angle end flanges 22. The shelf surface, the rolled edge 21, and the end flanges 22 are integrally constructed as best illustrated in Fig. 6. A generally U-shaped flat bottomed stiffener 23 is provided having a shallow depth and having longitudinal fastening tabs or extensions 24 which are welded to the underside of the shelf 20. The depth of the U-shaped member 23 is equal to the depth of the end flanges 22. The positioning of the U-shaped member 23 on. the underside of the shelf 20 is generally along the longitudinal center of the shelf 20 thus forming shelving support channels.

The end flanges 22 are insertable in the gaps 18a between the web 17 and the gapping strip or plate 18 and the depth of said gap 18a being equal to the depth of the flanges 22 and the pedestal extension 19 corresponding therewith, the stiffener 23 rests on the pedestal and transmits stresses through the brackets A and B to the corresponding support columns 12a and 12b as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

It will be seen in Fig. 2 that the web 17 of the intermediate bracket A is exactly aligned with the vertical seam in the intermediate column 12a and that assembly to right and left of the web 17 is based upon the base of the column seam thereby insuring close tolerances in manufacture which are unerringly repeated in assembly.

While this structure 11 is fabricated from sheet steel for maximum strength it is contemplated that other metals may be used, as well as some plastic materials, and all such materials are intended to fall within the spirit of this invention. I Operation columns 12a and 12b by pushing the lug extensions 14 into the prelocated slots 13 and applying downward pressure to lock the brackets A and B onto the columns and 12b. The shelves 20 are snapped into position by inserting the end flanges 22 into the gaps 18a provided on the brackets A and B. By reason of the underside construction of shelves 20 the U-shaped member 23 is pedestal rested on the pedestal extensions 19 so as to lend support strength to the entire shelf span, making possible increased rigidity in metal shelving over materially increased spans. By reason of the symmetrical arrangement of the columns 12a and 12b shelves 20 may be hung on either side of the columns to create island type display counters if desired. The inclinedly rolled shelf edge 21 provides a convenient and easily accessible price tab mounting. The structure 11 admits of simple and rapid disassembly for moving or cleaning and such assembly or disassembly can be accomplished using unskilled labor.

The structure 11 also admits of clear standardization and high dimensional accuracy in prefabricated form. No fasteners such as rivets, screws, bolts, or clamps are required.

Having thus described our invention with particularity it will be understood that certain modifications may be made which are intended to be included in the invention.

5 limited only by the scope of the hereinafter appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a knock-down shelving structure, the combination including: right and left slotted vertical end columns; double slotted vertical intermediate columns; right angle bracket webs; lug carrying plates fixed to one end of said bracket webs on both sides thereof and extending outwardly and rearwardly therefrom to engage lockably in selected slots in said columns; a gapping strip on either side of said webs along the top edge thereof forming gaps paralleling said webs on either side of said web and defined by said web and said gapping plates; a horizontally disposed extension bent outwardly from each of said gapping strips; end brackets each having a web identical to the heretofore recited web, a single lug plate, and a single gapping strip with a horizontal extension on one side of said web only; shelving members each having end flanges insertable in the gaps paralleling said web and spanning between said bracket webs; and a flat bottomed U-shaped member attached 'to the bottom of said shelving member and running the length thereof forming a shelving support channel and arranged to rest upon said horizontally disposed extension.

2. In a knock-down shelving structure, the combination including: channel shaped vertically slotted end columns; intermediate columns having channel shaped members in back-to-back relationship and being slotted vertically on both legs thereof; a plurality of brackets each consisting of a bracket web, lug carrying plates welded to one end of said bracket webs, the lugs extending outwardly and rearwardly from each of said webs to engage adjustably and lockably said columns, a gapping plate on either side of each'of said webs forming slot-like gaps between said web and said plates, and a horizontally disposed pedestal extension, forming a part of said plate; a shelf member having vertical end flanges, the flanges of which are insertable in the gaps provided adjacent the webs of each of said brackets; and a U-shaped member welded longitudinally to the bottom of said shelf member and being supported at the ends by the horizontal extensions from said brackets.

3. In a knock-down shelving structure, the combination including: right and left slotted vertical end columns; double slotted vertical intermediate columns; shelf brackets having a right angle bracket web; lug carrying plates fixed to one end of said bracket web engageable in selective slots of said columns; gapping strips with central pedestal extensions aflixed adjacent the top edge of said web; and shelves lockable upon said brackets having end flanges engageable between said gapping strip and said web, said shelf having an inclined rolled leading edge, and a U-shaped member secured longitudinally of said shelf on the underside thereof engaging the pedestal extension of said gapping strips of said brackets.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

